Stageless Sgor govt a sensation at Thaipusam
- 9 years ago
Batu Caves was a hotbed of politics as both sides of the spectrum rallied to win over much contested Indian votes during Thaipusam celebrations yesterday.
Despite battling on home grounds, Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government started at a disadvantage as their event permit was refused by the police at the last minute.
While Prime Minister Najib Razak, MIC President Samy Vellu and their cohorts addressed the masses from a vantage point within temple compounds, their counterparts had to do without a stage, which was forcefully dismantled by the police.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/123193
The underdogs, however, worked against odds to rouse much fervour from hundreds who chanted Hidup Rakyat, the state leaders spoke from a makeshift stage attached a Selayang Municipal Council truck.
The event, which started at 11pm, two hours later than scheduled in order to make way for Najib, was under the Middle Ring Road flyover some 500 meters away from the temple.
This was in stark contrast to the federal government event, where Najib and his waving wife garnered restrained applause only after Samy called him the Father of 1Malaysia.
While Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim guaranteed the safety of all in Selangor, Najib rehashed about handouts given to the Indian community by Barisan Nasional last year.
Police presence was equally strong at both events, with police attempting to stop Khalids speech, having earlier threatened to arrest them for illegal assembly.
But according to Selangor state exco Elizabeth Wong, the men in blue were pushed away by the passionate crowd.
The crowd also boo-ed Samy when his car passed by, with one man yelling, Go home, Selangor is my state not yours.
Speaking to press later, Khalid expressed his disappointment in being pushed aside by (their) guests (the federal government) in their home state.
We are now looking to see what authority we have over usage of land and public spaces as the state government, so we can avoid this
Despite battling on home grounds, Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government started at a disadvantage as their event permit was refused by the police at the last minute.
While Prime Minister Najib Razak, MIC President Samy Vellu and their cohorts addressed the masses from a vantage point within temple compounds, their counterparts had to do without a stage, which was forcefully dismantled by the police.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/123193
The underdogs, however, worked against odds to rouse much fervour from hundreds who chanted Hidup Rakyat, the state leaders spoke from a makeshift stage attached a Selayang Municipal Council truck.
The event, which started at 11pm, two hours later than scheduled in order to make way for Najib, was under the Middle Ring Road flyover some 500 meters away from the temple.
This was in stark contrast to the federal government event, where Najib and his waving wife garnered restrained applause only after Samy called him the Father of 1Malaysia.
While Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim guaranteed the safety of all in Selangor, Najib rehashed about handouts given to the Indian community by Barisan Nasional last year.
Police presence was equally strong at both events, with police attempting to stop Khalids speech, having earlier threatened to arrest them for illegal assembly.
But according to Selangor state exco Elizabeth Wong, the men in blue were pushed away by the passionate crowd.
The crowd also boo-ed Samy when his car passed by, with one man yelling, Go home, Selangor is my state not yours.
Speaking to press later, Khalid expressed his disappointment in being pushed aside by (their) guests (the federal government) in their home state.
We are now looking to see what authority we have over usage of land and public spaces as the state government, so we can avoid this